It has raised taxes so that an extra $1.5 billion will be paid this year just as a result of people moving into higher income tax brackets through fiscal drag.
If every Budget has a theme, this year's is likely to be the extra amount of money the Treasury makes by leaving thresholds unchanged as prices and salaries rise - the so-called fiscal drag.
As many salaries are rising faster than this, more people will enter the top tax bracket - fiscal drag in operation and a classic stealth tax.
What will happen to the $1.4 billion in additional taxes that New Zealanders will pay in the 3 years because of fiscal drag?
My feeling is that he will do it after the election, not by any direct tax increase, but through fiscal drag.